President - Brenda Connors
It gives me great pleasure to bring greetings to you on behalf of myself and the entire Central Music Festival Committee. We would like to welcome everyone to the 1st Annual Central Music Festival! We are thrilled to have you join us for this exciting week of music, fun and community spirit.
This festival would not have been possible without the incredible team who dedicated their time to ensure that every detail is perfect. We are so pleased to offer this wonderful experience to all the children and youth of Central Newfoundland.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and volunteers. Your support and generosity have been instrumental in making this festival a reality. Without you, none of this would be possible.
A special thank you goes out to all the performers and teachers who have come together to make this festival truly unforgettable. You have worked tirelessly over the past several months in preparation for this great opportunity. Your talent and dedication are the heart and soul of this event, and we are deeply grateful for your participation.
Thank you all for taking part in this experience and for your continued support. Let us make this festival a memorable one!
Mayor's Message - Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
On behalf of the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all participants, families, volunteers, and supporters of the 2025 Central Music Festival.
For generations, this festival has been a cherished tradition in our community, celebrating the talent, dedication, and passion of young musicians. Thanks to the commitment of a dedicated group of volunteers, the festival's legacy continues under a new banner.
I want to extend heartfelt thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Grand Falls-Windsor for their decades of dedication to this festival. Their work laid the foundation for what continues to be an inspiring and meaningful event for our community.
To the Central Music Festival Board and all those working behind the scenes - thank you for ensuring that this tradition remains a cornerstone of our arts community. Your dedication ensures that young musicians have a platform to showcase their skills, receive valuable adjudication, and grow as artists.
To the adjudicators, thank you for sharing your expertise and inspiring the next generation. To the families and audiences, your encouragement and support mean the world to these performers. And to all the participants - whether this is your first festival or you are a seasoned performer - I commend you for your hard work and courage in sharing your musical gifts.
Grand Falls-Windsor is proud to host such a vibrant celebration of talent, and we look forward to another incredible festival. Best of luck to all!
2025 Central Music Festival
Central Music Festival Inc. is pleased to present the inaugural Central Music Festival following 57 successful years as the Central Newfoundland Kiwanis Music Festival.
Our dedicated group of volunteers will continue to work diligently to ensure that school aged children, youth and community members can display their talents in music and choral speech and benefit from the learning and growth opportunity provided by adjudicators who have expertise in the various music and choral speech areas.
Cultural Appropriation
Our Festival concurs with the directive of the FCMF National Music Festival (2024) - Participants are asked to respectfully consider the issue of cultural appropriation when choosing selections as well as whether to utilize costumes and/or actions while presenting that chosen selection. Cultural appropriation applies when cultural borrowings or adaptations from a minoritized culture reflect, reinforce, or amplify inequalities, stereotypes, and historically exploitative relationships that have direct negative consequences on equity-seeking communities.
The Platinum Rule
The Platinum Rule asks us to treat others as they want to be treated. It takes the notion of the Golden Rule another step and obliges us to ask permission, seek insight, and show respect before we perform selections that may be insulting and disrespectful of historically marginalized groups in society.